Release mechanism



United States Patent Inventor Allan F. Hosang Phoenix, Ariz.

June 2!, 1968 Continuation-impart of Ser. No. 648,095, June 22, I967, abandoned Dec. 15, 1970 Unidynamics Phoenix, Goodyear, Ariz.,

a corporation of Delaware RELEASE MECHANISM 4 Claims, 6 Drawing Figs.

[52] U.S.Cl 89/1; 85/1. 85/33: 89/].5

[51] Int. Cl Fl6b 37/00 Appl. No. Filed Patented Assignee Primary ExaminerSamuel W. Engle AttorneyDrummond, Cahill & Phillips 3/ e r so a 2% A l 22 2/ as /-/.9 -52 9 was 29 /38 MI RELEASE MECHANISM This application is a continuation-in-part of Pat. application Ser. No. 648,095, filed June 22, 1967, now abandoned, entitled Release Mechanism.

The present invention pertains to release mechanisms, and more specifically, to quick actuated release mechanisms utilizing high pressures such as an explosion to effectuate the separation of the device.

Explosively actuated release bolt mechanisms are well known in the art; however, the separation of these devices has been accomplished utilizing an explosive bolt or a ball lock mechanism. The explosive bolt utilizes the shock front developed from an explosive charge to fracture the bolt. As a result of the explosion and the fracturing of the element of the device, shrapnel and particles of combustion are free to contaminate the surrounding area. Further, the shock front resulting from the explosion and fracture reacts on the components in a destructive manner. The explosive required in the unit gives rise to inherent temperature and handling problems necessitating extreme care in the handling and use of the device.

Ball lock mechanisms utilize balls that are cammed out of a race or socket to allow separation ofthe respective portions of the lock mechanism. Such mechanisms necessitate extremely close tolerances to minimize point loading on the balls, thereby producing Brinelling of the components. This effect might be minimized through the utilization of larger balls and grooves. However, the utilization of such larger components results in an unwieldy, heavy and cumbersome structure.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a release mechanism eliminating the fracturing of components and the admission of fractured components or combustion products outside of the device.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a bolt release mechanism that may use an explosive charge for actuation but wherein the charge may be kept separate from the device until it is actually installed for use.

It is still another object of the presentinvention to provide a release mechanism utilizing two principal parts that can be reused without requiring expensive new components.

These and other advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art as the description thereof proceeds.

Briefly, in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention, a release mechanism is provided utilizing a shank and a head. The shank includes an annular recess on a locking end thereof which is slidably insertable into a longitudinal bore provided in the head. The bore includes an annular shoulder which may be brought into registry with the annular groove in the shank. Split rings are provided and are inserted into the annular groove and abut the annular shoulder. A piston having cam surfaces thereon is axially driven within the bore of the head by an explosive force or by other highpressure sources to cause the camming surfaces of the piston to engage the split rings. The split rings, following the surfaces of the cam, are lifted out of the annular groove in the shank, thereby releasing the shank and permitting it to be withdrawn from the head. In the embodiment chosen for illustration, the piston is utilized to strike the end of the shank, forcing it out from the head after the split rings have been cammed out of the shank groove. The piston subsequently remains in the bore of the head and traps gases in the head to prevent their escape and contamination of surrounding apparatus.

The present invention may more readily be described by reference to the accompanying drawings, in-which:

FIG. I is a perspective view of a release bolt assembly chosen for purposes of illustration embodying the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the elements of the device of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an elevational view, partly in section, of the assembled elements of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is an elevational view corresponding to FIG. 3 specifically illustrating the activated arrangement of the elements during the release of the bolt.

FIG. 5 is a partial perspective view of the interlock mechanism when assembled, as in FIG. 3; and

FIG. 6 is a partial perspective view corresponding to FIG. 5 during the release of the bolt as in FIG. 4.

Turning now to the drawings, in which the same reference numerals indicate corresponding elements throughout the several view, FIG. 1 illustrates a presently preferred embodiment of the invention and shows the release assembly having a cylindrical head portion generally designated by the reference character 10 and a forwardly axially extending shank 11. A screw thread flight 12 extends along the forward portion of the shank 11. A hexagonal nut section 13 is integral with the rearward end of the head 10. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the shank 11 may terminate in any configuration to accommodate the specific application in which the release assembly is to be used.

FIG. 2 specifically details the elements of the release bolt assembly of FIG. 1. Alongitudinal bore '16 extends through the head 10. An internally threaded counterbore 17 is concen tric with the bore 16 and forms an internal annular shoulder 18 therewith. A piston 19 having a longitudinal bore 20 is slidable within the bore 16 of the head 10. A pair of diametrically opposed wedge-shaped cams 21 project forward from the piston 19. A retaining ring 22, substantially the same diameter as the piston 19, engages over stepped projections 23 which truncate the cams 21. A pair of splitrings 26 have an outside diameter which corresponds to the inside diameter of the retaining ring 22. v

An annular ridge 27, having diametrically opposed parallel flattened sides, is spaced from the rear or locking end 14 of the shank 11. An annular groove 28, capable of receiving the retaining rings 26, is located proximate the rearwardmost end of the shank 11. A shank guide 29 is secured within the bore 16 of the head 10 and is bored to permit axial sliding passage of the ridge 27. An eyelet 30 is positioned within the counterbore 31 of the shank guide 29. The inside diameter of the eyelet 30 permits sliding passage of the locking end 14 of the shank l1 and the outside diameter thereof is substantially smaller than the inside diameter of the retaining ring 22.

A shear disc 32, slightly larger in diameter than the bore 16, is designed to abut the shoulder 18.'A retaining ring 33 is a close fit within the counterbore 17. An 0 ring 36 has substantially the same outside diameter as the retaining ring 33. A threaded plug 37 is threadedly engageable with the counterbore 17 and has a flush forward face to abut the 0" ring 36. The plug 37 has a longitudinal bore 38 and a counterbore 39 extending inward from the forward face thereof. The counterbore 39 forms a housing for an initiator 40 while the ignition wires 41 therefrom project rearwardlythrough the bore 38.

FIG. 3 illustrates the assembly of the elements as specifically detailed in connection with the description of FIG. 2. According to the preferred assembly, the eyelet 30 is press-fitted into the shank guide counterbore 31, and the shank guide 29 is located within the bore 16 and weld-ed as indicated at 290 flush with the forward end of the housing 10. The shank 11 is inserted through the guide 29 and the eyelet 30 such that the groove 28 is rearward of the eyelet 30. It is herein noted that the location of the ridge 27 within the guide 29 prevents rotation of the shank 11 while a nut or other threaded device is secured to the screw flight 12. The split rings 26 engage the groove 28 and are retained by the retaining ring 22. The stepped projections 23 of the piston 19 extend between the split rings 26 and secure the retaining ring 22 by spot welding or other suitable means. With the positioning as described above, the wedge-shaped cams 21 are aligned between the split rings 26.

The shear disc 32 is concentrically secured, preferably by silver brazing to the rear face of the piston 19. Abutment of the disc 32 against the shoulder 18 restrains the piston 19 within the rear of the bore 16. The retaining ring 33 opposes the shoulder 18 for retention of the disc 32. The initiator 40 is housed within the counterbore 39 of the plug 37 with the wires 41 protruding through the bore 38. Potting 42 retains the subassembly and forms a gas seal for the initiator. Diametrically opposed holes 43 permit the use of a spanner wrench for the insertion of the plug. The ring 36 forms a gas seal between the plug 37 an the housing and bears against the retaining ring 33 for retention of the disc 32 as described above.

The operation of the release assembly of the present invention may now be described with the aid of FIGS. 4 and 6. Assuming that the release assembly has been assembled as in FIG. 3, the device may now be activated by the application of an appropriate electrical pulse to the wires 41. The subsequent activation of the initiator 40 causes the disc 32 to become deformed against the rear face of the piston 19. As

shown in FIG. 4, it may be seen that the disc has deformed and is actually cup-shaped in a form that provides obturation to thereby seal the gases of combustion within the head 10. As the piston 19 is driven to the right as shown in FIG. 4, retaining ring 22 is driven from the circumference of the split rings,

thereby unlocking the split rings. Further movement of the piston 19 causes the camming surfaces2l thereof to engage the split rings 26 and force them radially outwardly as shown in FIGS. 4 and 6. The split rings are thus lifted from the annular groove 28, thereby permitting the shank 11 to be withdrawn from the head 10. It may be noted that continued movement of the piston 19 will ultimately cause the face 51 of the piston to strike the end surface 52 of the shank, thereby propelling the shank from the head; however, the piston cannot escape from the head and the obturated deformed disc 32 will continue to seal the gases within the head. It may therefore be seen that the initiator 40 need only be strong enough to cause the requisite deforming of the soft, thin disc 32 and thesubsequent camming of the split rings without the rupturing or deforming of locking parts. The device may be reassembled for reuse by merely unscrewing the plug 37, replacing the .disc 32, and adding a new initiator plug. It may also be seen that the device may be connected and kept in its unreleased position without consideration for explosives handling by merely leaving the plug 37 outof the device until actual arming is desired.

Itwill also be obvious to those skilled in the art that, particularly in view of the fact that substantially less pressure is required for the present device than for those of the prior art, pressure sources other than explosives may be utilized for operation. For example, in some applications a high pressure source of fluid may be available and connection of such a source through a triggering valve to the mechanism of the present invention will permit a quick-release mechanism operating in the manner described without using explosive ac tuators. The present invention may be practiced utilizing a variety of specific designs and it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention has been described in terms of a preferred embodiment and that the invention is limited only by the scope of the claims appended hereto.

1 claim:

1. A release assembly having a head anda shank releasably extending therefrom, said assembly including: a locking end on said shank having a groove therein; means defining a longitudinal bore in said head for receiving said locking end; a split ring seated in said groove; a retaining ring surrounding said split ring to retain the latter in said groove; a piston positioned insa id longitudinal bore including a cam surface extending therefrom, said surface terminating in a stepped projection in contact with said retaining ring; means for moving 1 said piston to a release position to-move said retaining ring gitudinal bore in said head for receiving said locking end; a

pair of semicircular members seated in said groove and circumferentially spaced from each other; a retaining ring surrounding said semicircular members to retainsaid members in said groove; a piston positioned in said longitudinal bore including a pair of diametrically opposed wedge-shaped cams extending longitudinally therefrom, each terminating in a stepped projection in contact with said retaining ring, said projections extending between said semicircular members to maintain the circumferential spacing therebetween; means for.

moving said piston to a release position to move said retaining ring from its position surrounding said semicircular members and to force said semicircular members out of said groove by contact with said wedge-shaped cams.

3. The combination set forth in claim 2 wherein said means for moving said piston to a release position comprises an explosive initiator mounted in said bore.

4. The combination set forth in claim 2 wherein said means for moving said piston to a release position comprises a source of pressure acting on said piston and wherein said source of pressure is external to said bore. 

